Canberra is a city that is a marvelous study in contrasts, characterized as much by urban modernism as it is by lush green surroundings. Abundantly blessed with endless stretches of stunning coastlines, Canberra is also the setting for many majestic peaks, of which the Snowy Mountains are the most well known. Located in the northern section of the Australian Capital Territory, Canberra offers a wide range of activities, many of which are centered on its natural attractions. This is to be expected given the city’s many outstanding natural features. In addition however, Canberra also offers a wealth of more urbane cultural and leisure activities owing to its many museums, galleries and historical landmarks.
There is also no shortage of restaurants, nightclubs theaters and other entertainment establishments in the city. As for the shopping, Canberra can more than hold its own with the world’s largest cities in this respect, with plenty to offer whether you are seeking the finest in haute couture or are looking to go bargain hunting.
The beauty of Canberra was described by a post in the Australia Expat Forum last February 15, 2008:
canberra has best roads/cheaper parking as federal govt used to pay for it all and less people to compete with.but cold in winter as on an inland plateau and near snowy mountains.also most recreational parks per resident of all oz cities. good cultural things parliament house national gallery,museums,universities,lower land and house prices than sydney and melbourne although rising now.
man made lake with scenic 17km cycle track around it .
3 hours to beach (by a winding road) and 6 hours to sydney by car on a great expressway.
house prices in sydney and rents are high unless you are further out in suburbs (20km out).smaller country towns cheap housing and land
but less facilities.
government schools underresourced but catholic church schools are cheap but better quality even if u r not catholic.
private schools very expensive and you may not get what u pay for-ripoff in my opinion.typically $25000 per student per year in last 4-6 years of schooling
universities and colleges are good in main and govt gives you a low interest loan for fees which u dont have to pay off until you have job after graduation.
restaurants in cbd are expensive because labour is expensive and because sydney is also a tourist town esp for europeans japanese and americans.
best to buy food at supermarkets.meat -beef cicken pork is world wise very cheap.veges cheap snap frozen is like buying fresh and is only $2-4/kg-peas carrots beans corn kernels broccoli cabbage.
fruit is cheap if in season (ALL IN $)
-fresh:
bananas 2-3/kg apples 3-6/kg peaches 5/kg oranges 3-4/kg
plums 4-6/kg
blueberries $5/punnet strawberries 2-4/pun
raspberries 7/pun
grapes red or green 4-6/kg
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cheeses 10-12/kg most varieties made locally or new zealand
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phone lines $20-30/month calls15c-20c each local plus caps on trunk calls typically 2.50 per 20 minutes
overseas better to use phone card or internet skype,messenger etc
mobile prepaid expensive (50c-$1 /minute plus 25c connect) except for virgin brand (10c per minute plus 25c connect) .
capped post paid plans cheaper but 12-24month contract.
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clothes rel inexpensive apart from designer stuff as tariffs now zero on imports
medical is cheaper than most western countries as part govt subsidised if u r classed as resident and nottoo high if u r not.
general gp is $40-50 but if in medicare u get 10-20$ refund.if doctor agrees to bulk bill then if u r on medicare it is FREE.
dental is rel expensive esp orthodontic work 5000-10000 for full treatment
and there is no govt scheme.
health insurance is available $1000-3000 per person per year depending on level of cover( operations only or medical and surgical dental etc)
but insurance does not cover 100%of fee so may not be much saving from insurance.some plans have attached clinics where services are cheaper esp dental.
Residential Places in Canberra
One thing that you will not have any trouble finding in Canberra is a place to stay. This is something that is fairly obvious given the city’s wealth of tourist destinations, and it is certainly true that Canberra has a lot to offer in the way of hotels, inns, bed & breakfasts and backpacker hotels for travelers. But this abundance of accommodations applies to people who wish to live in the city for an extended period of time–or even permanently–as well.
If you wish to live in close proximity to the commercial and business centers, Woden is where you should begin your search. Located only a few kilometers south of Canberra, the district is comprised of a healthy balance of modern apartments and more historic houses.
If you have a family, Tuggeranong warrants a closer look with its wide-open spaces and generously sized residential blocks. Like Woden, the houses here are a mix of the old and the new and they are generally priced quite reasonably.
Students will likely find Belconnen an attractive place to live, given its close proximity to many of the city’s educational institutions such as the University of Canberra, the Canberra Institute of Technology and the Australian Institute of Sport among others.
Finally Gungahlin is another area that will appeal to families. Located to the north of the city, Gungahlin is the newest residential district in Canberra and offers a wide range of finished homes and townhouses, as well as land packages.
Whether you prefer the sleek convenience of a modern apartment right in the heart of the city or you prefer the warm and rustic lodging of a home in the country, Canberra has something for you.
The perception of living in Canberra was debunked in a post in the Australia Expat Forum last January 18, 2009:
I spent a few months working in Canberra, and I liked it. Every Australian I met before I went there said “you’re going to Canberra,” as though it’s the most awful place in the world. In all reality, though, most Australians who talk like that have probably never even been there! For some reason everyone has a bad impression of it, and I’d venture to guess that it’s because it’s not the most lively place for young singles. It doesn’t have the greatest night life, so if you’re single and looking for that, you might find it a bit lacking. I personally enjoyed it a lot. It’s great for outdoorsy kind of people, and I found some really good rock climbing in the area. There’s lots of nature and trees around.
The city itself was planned, and it was designed by a couple from Chicago. I think it has more of an American city feel, since rather than having one bit city centre it has lots of suburbs with their own centres.
Just remember to take its reputation with a grain of salt!
Hospitals and Universities of Canberra
Virtually all of your health related concerns could be adequately addressed in Canberra, considering the abundance of hospitals, clinics and other health care facilities in the city. Here you can find two large public hospitals, a score of smaller private hospitals and even more community-based clinics and health care centers.
The Canberra Hospital serves as the medical hub of not only Canberra but the entire Australian Capital Territory as well. Serving over 500,000 people from the surrounding areas, Canberra Hospital also functions as the educational arm of the Australian National University Medical School or ANU. Another hospital in Canberra is the Calvary Public Hospital located in Bruce. The largest private hospital is the John James Memorial Hospital in Deakin.
Calvary Health Care ACT, which counts the Calvary Hospital under its jurisdiction, offers the most up to date medical technology available and features a public hospital that can accommodate 250 lie-in patients.
As for schools, we already mentioned that Belconnen is the home of some of Canberra’s top learning institutions, among them the University of Canberra. Along with the Australian National University in Acton, these two schools are the main tertiary learning institutions in the city. The Australian National University is particularly well regarded, having the distinction of being considered one of the best universities in the world by many in the academic field.
Commercial Places in Canberra
We mentioned earlier that Canberra has a wealth of restaurants, bars, and shopping malls on offer but this aspect deserves a closer mention in this section.
As befitting a city with such an eclectic blend of different cultures, Canberra has an equally wide variety of restaurants that can cover the range of global cuisines. From casual settings to a luxurious fine dining experience, from exotic delicacies to something as familiar as a hearty English breakfast–wherever your culinary tastes lie, Canberra has something to offer. Some worthwhile places to check out are the Axis because of its emphasis on fine food, and Benjamin’s Restaurant, which is decidedly more casual but is every bit as memorable a gustatory experience.
The bars in Canberra also deserve special attention, running the gamut from the cozy pub where you can share a leisurely drink with the local residents, to the ultra-modern dance club pulsating with the energy of 21st century Australia.
If shopping is your thing, definitely check out the Manuka and Kingston districts where you can have your pick of anything from international designer labels to high quality house ware. All these places are in easy to find locations as Canberra is one of the few planned urban developments in the Australian Capital Territory.
Service Establishments of Canberra
Electrical service in Canberra is provided by the national power grid, by way of substations that are located in Holt and Fyshwick. Some of this power comes from the hydro generator that is connected to the main water supply pipeline at Mount Stromlo and some is provided by methane plants at Belconnen and Mugga Lane.
Both terrestrial and mobile telephone services in Canberra are provided by a host of competing firms, although much of the infrastructure is owned by a company called Telstra, with the rest owned by TransACT and a host of smaller providers.
